CVE-2016-6489

Name: CVE-2016-6489
Creator: NVD / NIST
Published: 2017-04-14T18:59:00.737+00:00
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/

HIGHCVSS 7.5/10EPSS 5.05%

Last modified Jun 17, 2026

CVE-2016-6489 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.5/10 on the CVSS scale. The RSA and DSA decryption code in Nettle makes it easier for attackers to discover private keys via a cache side channel attack.. EPSS estimates a 5.05% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

The RSA and DSA decryption code in Nettle makes it easier for attackers to discover private keys via a cache side channel attack.

Metrics

CVSS 3.1

7.5/10

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N

EPSS Probability

5.05%

91.2th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

CWE-203

Affected Software

Vendor	Product	Versions
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Desktop	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Hpc Node	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Server	7.0
Redhat	Enterprise Linux Workstation	7.0
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	12.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	14.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.04
Canonical	Ubuntu Linux	16.10
Nettle Project	Nettle	< 3.3

References

http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2582.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/29/7Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3193-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1362016Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://eprint.iacr.org/2016/596.pdfTechnical Description
https://git.lysator.liu.se/nettle/nettle/commit/3fe1d6549765ecfb24f0b80b2ed086fdc818bff3Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201706-21Third Party Advisory
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.htmlThird Party Advisory
http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2016-2582.htmlThird Party Advisory, VDB Entry
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/07/29/7Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
http://www.ubuntu.com/usn/USN-3193-1Third Party Advisory
https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1362016Issue Tracking, Third Party Advisory, VDB Entry
https://eprint.iacr.org/2016/596.pdfTechnical Description
https://git.lysator.liu.se/nettle/nettle/commit/3fe1d6549765ecfb24f0b80b2ed086fdc818bff3Patch, Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/201706-21Third Party Advisory
https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpuapr2020.htmlThird Party Advisory

Timeline

Published: Apr 14, 2017
Last Modified: Jun 17, 2026
Status: Modified

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-6489?

The RSA and DSA decryption code in Nettle makes it easier for attackers to discover private keys via a cache side channel attack.

How severe is CVE-2016-6489?

CVE-2016-6489 has a CVSS score of 7.5/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 5.05% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2016-6489?

Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

Are you affected by CVE-2016-6489?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST